For many college students, there comes a time when they struggle with their academics. That could mean homework, writing a paper or studying for an exam. Although most William Woods professors are willing to help struggling students with class concepts, some students may find it uncomfortable to drop by their professor’s office and ask for help. A visit to the university’s Academic Success Center may offer the best solution to this problem, where William Woods students can find other Woods students ready to help. These are the Academic Success Center’s peer tutors.
For three years, the Academic Success Center has had a tutoring program. The program has proven to be an effective way for students to receive tutoring from their fellow William Woods students, leading to an increase in their overall academic performance and in their grades.
According to Kathy Neal, the Academic Success Center coordinator, the center selects students that have taken general education classes and have excelled in them. Tutors are chosen based on their academic abilities, positive attitudes, ability to help others, and effective communication skills.
“The tutoring team we have right now is the most exciting group I have worked with yet.” Neal said. “They are motivated to truly help their peers. They enjoy teaching others and I think that makes all the difference.”
Need a tutor? Meet the Academic Success Center tutors for the Fall 2018 semester:
Meet business and writing tutor, Alexis Labath ’21:
What is your major: Business Administration with concentrations in Economics and Finance and an Accounting minor
Why did you want to tutor: I wanted to tutor so that I could help other students out and learn from them.
What is the best part of tutoring: The best part of tutoring is getting the opportunity to be a peer with someone and also help them out. I have met some great people from tutoring.
Describe tutoring in one word: Productivity
What is a fun fact about you? My favorite cartoon is SpongeBob.
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Meet writing tutor, Ashley Pendleton ’19
What is your major: English and English Education
Why did you want to tutor: I wanted to tutor because I love helping out my peers and helping others develop their potential.
What is the best part of tutoring: Being able to meet all the incredible students at WWU and help them work towards their goals
How will tutoring suit your career in the future: I’m an Education major so it’s been beneficial for me to have this practical experience in teaching writing skills. It also fits in with my life purpose of helping others.
What is a fun fact about you? My favorite drink is bubble tea.
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Meet Spanish Tutor, Catlin Cook ’20
What is your major: Biology Pre-Vet
Why did you want to tutor: I enjoy the language and making sure people understand and feel good about what they are learning. It is fun to watch them learn and I want to make sure their learning experience is enjoyable and fun.
What is the best part of tutoring: Receiving positive feedback from the student that they know what you’re talking about and them being able to answer the examples that I make for them.
Describe tutoring in one word: Teamwork
What is a fun fact about you? My favorite animal is cats
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Meet Psychology Tutor, Daryl Parungao ’19
What is your major: Psychology
Why did you want to tutor: I wanted to really test my Psych knowledge. I think the best way to see if you really understand something comes in your ability to break it down and explain it in simple ways to others.
What is the best part of tutoring: I feel like I’ve helped people not only better understand Psychology but also help them gain a more positive outlook regarding their own studying and test skills
Describe tutoring in one word: Supportive
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Meet Science Tutor, Elijah Alcorn ’19
What is your major: Biology major and Chemistry minor
Why did you want to tutor: I enjoy the challenge of teaching. Additionally, I am trying to get volunteer hours to strengthen my resume.
What is the best part of tutoring: The best part is being able to show students that science is very simple. Despite having the reputation of being incredibly difficult, anyone can learn and be proficient at science courses. I enjoy being able to contribute to someone’s confidence in these areas.
What is a fun fact about you? My favorite food is peanut butter & jelly.
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Meet General Studies Tutor, Emily Landenberger ’20
What is your major: Special Education
Why did you want to tutor: I like teaching and I use this tutoring platform as a chance to teach others on a subject in a way that they have not been exposed to in their class.
What is the best part of tutoring: Watching it click for a student.
Why should students come to tutoring: Everyone struggles to understand something or struggles to find a place to study on campus – this is a good place for students.
What is a fun fact about you? I love to cook
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Meet Political/ Legal Studies & Spanish Tutor, Hanna Mitchell ’19
What is your major: Political Science/Legal Studies Major and Spanish Minor
Why did you want to tutor: I wanted to be a resource to help students succeed
What is the best part of tutoring: Definitely, the people. I love helping students understand tough concepts and confusing information as well as watching them improve their grades.
Describe tutoring in one word: Rewarding
What is a fun fact about you: My favorite dream vacation is to travel to Ireland
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Meet Math Tutor, Lin Liu MBA student
What is your major: Masters in Business Administration and Math (undergraduate)
Why did you want to tutor: Teaching is truly the joy of my life. I enjoy watching tutees develop. As a tutor, I love one-on-one tutoring because of the complete attention.
How will tutoring suit your future career: Tutoring experience really taught me some of the finer points of teaching and working one-on-one with tutees. I got to experience different learning styles first-hand and coming up with creative ways of explaining things on the spot.
Describe tutoring in one word: Communication
Fun fact: My favorite food is dumplings.
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Meet Writing Tutor, Sebastian Krull ’19
What is your major: ASL-English Interpreting
How has tutoring impacted you: Your successes are our successes as well. We love seeing when that light bulb finally clicks on.
How will tutoring suit your future career: Interpreting is very interpersonal and involves one-on-one contact with managing information and handling different personalities.
Describe tutoring in one word: Worthwhile
What is a fun fact about you: I am knitting the longest scarf in the world (current record 1,149.8 ft. My goal is 1,600 ft.)!
